Six Nations expert predictions: Will France win the Grand Slam?

TNT Sports experts Ugo Monye, Stuart Hogg, Brian O’Driscoll and Tom Shanklin all agree on who will win the 2024 Six Nations – but from there their opinions start to diverge.

The quartet offered their insight as they previewed the upcoming tournament, which kicks off on Friday night when France host reigning champions Ireland.

While the group were unanimous in their choice of winner, they were torn on whether we would see another Grand Slam.

Elsewhere, there was more variety in their opinions over who would be player of the tournament and the breakout star, with some pundits looking to their own countries for inspiration.

But who did they pick? We have all the answers below ahead of rugby’s biggest international competition of the year…

Who will win the 2024 Six Nations?

Ugo Monye (former England winger): “I think France will win the Six Nations. I think the opening match against Ireland is absolutely critical. I can see them going on to win a Grand Slam, in fact, but having that fixture at home, and England last game at home – two of their toughest fixtures – I think it’s France’s to lose.”

Tom Shanklin (former Wales outside centre): “I think France will win a Grand Slam – if they beat Ireland in the first game. I just think the form they are in, they’re cohesive. They’ve played together a lot. They’ve got a good understanding of partnerships around the field, and club form plays a massive part of it as well.”

Brian O’Driscoll (former Ireland captain): “France are going to win the Six Nations because they look like they have a seriously powerful team. Their teams in Europe have been unbelievably impressive and they have unfinished business from the World Cup. But no Grand Slam… two or three teams could get four wins.”

Stuart Hogg (former Scotland full-back): “I believe France will win the Six Nations because of the quality players they’ve got, the way that the fixtures lie. Ireland first up in Marseille… the winner comes from that game. I think France will be incredibly difficult to stop, the hangover from the World Cup will be eating away at them. The quality they’ve got in their side is mental. I don’t believe there will be a Grand Slam – I’m tipping Scotland to beat France at Murrayfield. If Scotland can get good momentum going into that game, Murrayfield is a very difficult place to play.”

Rees-Zammit ‘wants to be a superstar’ – Gatland wishes Wales star well after NFL switch

Who will be player of the tournament?

Ugo Monye: “There’s two, [France] captain Gregory Alldritt or Thomas Ramos. Gregory as a player is an unbelievable leader. What he does with ball in hand, his output is absolutely phenomenal. Thomas Ramos whether it’s kicking, setting up tries, scoring tries, just has such a huge impact and influence on that side.”

Tom Shanklin: “Peato Mauvaka, the [France] hooker. I think he’ll score a lot of tries, as a lot of hookers do. They’re the glory boys now, gone are the days of wingers scoring all the tries. Now it’s the hookers at the lineouts. I think he’ll be the player of the tournament.”

Brian O’Driscoll: “Jonathan Danty – unstoppable on his day.”

Stuart Hogg: “Gregory Alldritt, I think he’s at the heart of all good things France. He gets them over the gain line the vast majority of the time. Absolutely incredible. His all-round game is incredible. I think if France are to go on and win, then a lot of the good things and momentum will come from Gregory Alldritt. He’ll be my player of the tournament.”

Who will be named breakthrough player of the tournament?

Ugo Monye: “I’m going to say Tommy Freeman [England wing], I’d love to see him get some game time, because the way he has been playing at Northampton is tremendous, whether it be at centre or at wing. I really hope he gets an opportunity and continues the brilliant form he’s been in this season.”

Tom Shanklin: “Tommy Freeman, I think could be the breakthrough player. His form is really good for Northampton. I think he has to start for England, he’s that good. He’s got pace, he’s got power. I think if England can adapt and play a game that suits him and gives him the ball in the right situations, then he can be devastating.”

Brian O’Driscoll: “Nicolas Depoortere [France centre]. Again, France Under-20s, plays for Bordeaux at the moment. Big, rangy centre. I think for me he’s going to be a proper player. They better pick him now I’ve called him out.”

Stuart Hogg: “Rory Darge [Scotland flanker], he’s come on leaps and bounds for Scotland, he’s been brilliant for Glasgow and really coming into his own. Collision dominant, workhorse, grafter, co-captain as well. It speaks volumes and he’ll be up there at the forefront.”

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Heineken Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media